重型颅脑损伤中的弥漫性轴索损伤

报告５１例脑弥漫性轴索损伤，占同期重型颅脑损伤的１３．３５％，其主要临床特点为患者由事故等致伤，伤后即持续昏迷，而ＣＴ检查表现较轻微。作者结合文献对发病机制、病理、临床论断进行初步总结。认为使用ＭＲＩ检查有助于ＤＡＩ的临床诊断。     

Spinal cord injury: preventing secondary injury.

Spinal cord injury is devastating to the victim, as well as being costly in terms of medical expenses, lost wages, and lost independence. The initial damage to the spinal cord results from several mechanisms of injury--flexion, extension, compression, penetration, rotation, and the disease process. When the spinal cord is injured and there is necrosis of the nervous tissue, no regeneration of that tissue occurs. Unlike in the peripheral nervous system, where regeneration is possible, the spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, as is the brain. The spinal cord extends from the base of the skull to the L1 vertebrae: the cervical levels innervate the diaphragm and muscles of the arms; the thoracic levels innervate the muscles of the chest and abdomen; and the lumbar and sacral levels innervate the muscles of the legs. In addition, the sacral levels are responsible for bowel, bladder, and sexual function. The higher the level of injury, the more severe the loss of function because, not only is the level of injury affected, but also the levels below. Injury occurs by initial trauma to the surrounding ligaments, bones, and muscles, which then affect the spinal cord. There may be total loss of function with damage completely across the cord or partial loss of function with damage affecting only part of the cord. No current treatment can reverse this initial injury, which causes irreversible damage within minutes of injury. Secondary damage occurs as the injury spreads over several hours. Treatment can help prevent this secondary damage.     

Inviting injury

PPE equals one thing personal safety. Employers must ensure that responders are provided with applicable PPE and taught how to use it for the incidents and environments they may encounter. Responders who fail to wear PPE or wear it inappropriately invite injury. Employers should not assume that responders know how or even when to use certain PPE--regular in-service training should be provided. As a responder, you have a responsibility to always undertake safe actions. If you follow this monthly column, you have no doubt heard me say repeatedly that nothing, absolutely nothing, supercedes safety. You are not an expendable resource. Wear your PPE and, most important, wear it the right way.     

Reperfusion injury

The paradigm of reperfusion is one that will test the skills of the critical care practitioner. This syndrome has been implicated in many of the disorders commonly encountered in the intensive care unit. As research continues and more knowledge is gained into the evolution of this process, many of the complications caused by this affliction will be eliminated. In the interim, understanding of the pathophysiology and the components of this syndrome will assist in providing quality care for the patient unfortunate enough to have encountered this potentially devastating malady.     

Pancreatic injury

During the ten-year period from 1967 to 1977, 50 cases of pancreatic trauma were reviewed. There were 40 gunshot wounds, six stab wounds, and four cases of blunt abdominal trauma. Ten of the patients died, a mortality of 20%. The overall complication rate was 57%, but only 27% had complications attributable to the pancreatic injury. As has been reported by most authors, there is a high incidence of associated injuries. In our series only one patient had isolated pancreatic injury, while 30% had a major vascular injury, and the mortality for this group was 50%. Several methods of treatment were used, but the majority (36 patients) had drainage alone. The others had either resection (five) or Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy (five). Of particular interest were results of treatment of severe injuries to the head of the pancreas. Early in the series two patients were treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy and both died within 24 hours. During the last year we have treated five similar injuries using a Puestow type of Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy, with one death and no pancreatic complications. At present we advocate sump tube drainage for most injuries but rely on a Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy for severe injury to the head of the pancreas rather than resection.     

Immersion injury

Methanol, or wood alcohol, is present as a solvent in many products found in the average household. Health problems can result from inadvertent exposure, such as spilling concentrated solvents onto the skin, or conscious abuse, such as inhaling fumes or drinking solutions. The authors describe the pharmacokinetics involved and discuss the clinical presentation of patients with methanol intoxication, the expected clinical course, and important treatment considerations.